Subprime Auto Loan Delinquencies Hit a Record in 2026: What It Means for Lenders and the Used-Car Market
In January 2026, Fitch Ratings’ index tracking subprime auto loan delinquencies — loans at least 60 days past due — reached 6.90%. That was up sharply from a pandemic-era low of 2.58% in May 2021, as reported by Auto Remarketing, citing Fitch data. Under the methodology in effect at publication, the 6.90% reading was the …








